Truality.Legalese

  ⚖️ Traffic Stops: Rights, Obligations, and the Legal Boundaries of Roadside Encounters A Traffic Stop Is a Seizure — Even When It Feels Routine A traffic stop is not casual. It is not voluntary. It is not a conversation between equals. A traffic stop is a seizure under the Fourth Amendment . You are not free to leave. And that fact triggers constitutional limits. Even minor violations carry legal weight — because once a vehicle is stopped, the law governs everything that follows. Why Traffic Stops Are Legally Distinct Traffic stops are different from Terry stops in one critical way: They are tied to vehicle operation , not suspicion of criminal activity. An officer may initiate a traffic stop when they have: Probable cause of a traffic violation Or reasonable suspicion that a traffic law was violated The violation can be minor. The authority is still real. But the scope of the stop remains limited to its purpose . What Justifies a Traffic Stop A traffic stop must begin with a ...

⚖️ Terry Stops : Pat-Downs, Questions, and the Legal Limits of Temporary Detention A Stop Is Not an Arrest — But It Is Not Nothing. A Terry stop exists in the space between freedom and custody. You are not free to leave. But you are not under arrest. That distinction matters. Because Terry stops allow police intrusion without full probable cause —but only within strict limits. Those limits are not optional. They are constitutional. And when they are crossed, the stop becomes unlawful. What a Terry Stop Is — and Why It Exists. A Terry stop comes from Terry v. Ohio . It allows an officer to: Temporarily detain a person Based on reasonable suspicion To investigate possible criminal activity The justification is narrow. The purpose is safety and investigation—not punishment. A Terry stop is meant to be: Brief Focused Limited in scope Anything beyond that requires more legal authority. The Legal Foundation of a Terry Stop. A Terry stop must begin with reasonable suspicion. Not probable ca...